The rapid advancement of AI has outpaced the development of robust ethical frameworks, leaving a gap that could be filled by leveraging the decades of expertise from bioethics. At the same time, bioethics itself faces challenges, including potential missteps in handling biorisks. One way to address both issues could be to create structured pathways for bioethicists to transition into AI ethics, improving oversight in AI while subtly reducing the field's perceived "coolness"—potentially slowing risky developments.

How It Could Work

This idea could involve three key components:

• Fellowships: Prestigious, funded positions at AI research institutions where bioethicists retrain and contribute to AI ethics.
• Training Programs: Modular courses teaching AI ethics fundamentals, emphasizing parallels like informed consent vs. data privacy.
• Collaborative Projects: Pairing bioethicists with AI researchers to tackle ethical challenges, fostering mutual learning.

Bioethicists might be incentivized by career growth and intellectual challenge, while AI institutions could benefit from seasoned ethicists helping navigate regulatory and public perception hurdles. However, some AI researchers might resist, viewing this as overly bureaucratic.

Execution and Potential Impact

A pilot program could start with a small cohort of 5-10 bioethicists partnered with an AI ethics organization, focusing on areas like algorithmic bias in healthcare AI. Over time, the program could expand based on feedback. Key assumptions to test include whether bioethicists can effectively transition, whether their departure improves bioethics decision-making, and whether AI research becomes less "cool" as a result.

Compared to existing efforts like Harvard & MIT's Ethics and Governance of AI Initiative, this approach would be more targeted—systematically retraining and deploying bioethicists rather than broadly funding interdisciplinary research. Similarly, while Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute studies existential risks, this idea would actively facilitate career transitions.